
In the United States, the color or shape of an extension cord denotes nothing. That’s why it’s essential to read the label and find a cord with the proper wire gauge for charging your Tesla. But here’s a big difference-small gauge cords, when subjected to excessive power load, get extremely hot.Īdditionally, they cause resistance which reduces the speed at which your Tesla charges. Tesla wants you to think of power like water, in the sense that large pipes enhance flow rates while small pipes restrict it. This is interesting, as extension cords are a common source of overheating problems and electrical cords. You’ll need to use an extension cord with the right wire gauge to charge a Tesla from the wall-don’t bother with thin cheap hardware store cords.Įxtension cords aren’t really regulated much in the United States. The 240-volt charger adds between 9 and 52 miles of range per hour of charging. With a 240-volt connection, you can charge a Tesla Model S completely in between 6 and 30 hours.Ī 240-volt connection is ideal for commuters who drive a lot, as most homes already have this type of connector in the basement or in the garage-and it’s not particularly expensive to have it installed. How Fast Does a 240-Volt Home Connection Charge a Tesla?Ī 240-volt home connection, which usually delivers about 80 amps of power, charges a Tesla much faster than the 20 amp 120-volt charger. That means you’ll get about 2 miles of range per hour-which is great if you’re a commuter who charges your car overnight and doesn’t have too far to travel each day. With a 120-volt house connection, it’ll take around four days to fully charge a Model S. So how much range do you get from a home outlet, and how long does it take? Let’s use the Model S as an example. You can plug your Tesla in when you get home from work and usually add enough power to get back to work the next day. However, many people still charge their Teslas at home using this method, as it’s inexpensive and easy to do. In fact, it’s so slow that it might be worth it to drive to a local supercharger and top off the batteries that way. How Fast Does a 120-Volt Home Connection Charge a Tesla?Ĭharging a Tesla with a standard 120-volt home outlet is a slow process. The car comes with (or you can buy) what really amounts to a short dongle adapter with the desired plug on one end. Tesla 120-volt and 240-volt charging are simple. This kind of charging is known as “trickle charging,” and it uses the same principles as car battery rechargers.Īlso, you can charge a Tesla from one of those three-prong round 240-volt utility outlets-which is the same kind you plug an old washing machine into. This is convenient if you live in an apartment or if you don’t want to modify your wiring. Tesla cars will charge from a standard 120-volt AC outlet in your house or garage. But there are much more efficient ways to charge a Tesla at home. Pretty cool, right? Tesla cars come with a wall plug charger included, and many people charge their cars-albeit slowly-this way. Yes, you can charge a Tesla at home from a standard three-prong wall outlet. This post is merely to help other owners understand how it is installed. Can You Charge a Tesla From a Wall Plug at Home? I am not advising anyone to do it by themselves if they are not comfortable.
WIRE GAUGE FOR TESLA WALL CONNECTOR INSTALL
*I did not install it myself and hired an electrician. Turn on the breaker box and if you are getting a green light, you have successfully installed your charger! If you get errors, go to page 24 in the Tesla Charger Manual.Screw the front cover back and put the plate back into place.

Install the breaker into the breaker box.


Electrical wire 3 conductors (2 lines, 1 ground).
